Patersonia is a genus in the Iridaceae family with most of the species endemic to Australia and a couple of other species from Borneo and New Guinea. Most species are evergreen with linear or sword-shaped leaves in fan-like groups. There are a couple of species from dry areas that are bulbous, but most are rhizomatous. The flowers are short lived, but many may be displayed during their flowering period.
Patersonia occidentalis is a species that occurs mainly in coastal areas in Victoria, Tasmania, Western Australia and South Australia. This species grows both in sandy and clay loam soils and soils that are both well drained to poorly drained in semi-shade to full sun. It probably does best with year round water. Photos by Mary Sue Ittner of plants finally blooming in her California garden in 2005 a long time after they were started from seed. Flowers only last part of a day, opening mid morning and closing later in the day. 2005 has been a year with regular rainfall lasting much longer than it has in the last couple of years and perhaps this is the reason they are blooming at last.
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